Sponsors
APRIL International is a global leader in international health insurance, providing coverage to over 150,000 policyholders worldwide in both their professional and personal lives. Our mission is to make healthcare easily accessible, no matter where you are.
Whether you're a student, an intern, on a working holiday, an employee, or a retiree traveling alone or with family APRIL International offers comprehensive and flexible insurance solutions designed to suit your unique needs and budget. With our expertise, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you have access to quality healthcare wherever your journey takes you.
Our service is specifically designed for anyone making overseas payments to buy, maintain, or sell an overseas property. We understand the importance of an efficient and transparent currency service and have an experienced team in place to help make your money go further and secure your very own “place in the sun”.
Buying and transferring currency across borders is a critical part of any overseas property transaction to get right, and our personal account-manager led service is here to help you understand and navigate the process safely and securely, without incurring any unnecessary costs. You can benefit from our knowledge about both the currency markets, and the logistics of international payments.
Abroad Experience specializes in connecting international professionals with exciting career opportunities in the Netherlands. With a focus on multilingual job seekers, we help candidates find roles that align with their skills, ambitions, and background.
From recent graduates to experienced professionals, we provide guidance throughout the recruitment process, offering job placements in fields such as customer service, finance, marketing, and more. Our goal is to make international job transitions seamless, ensuring candidates find the right opportunities while supporting them every step of the way.
It is of utmost importance to us that we offer a high level of service and build strong and trusting relationships with clients and candidates. As an international agency, we are devoted to international professionals in order to help them succeed on the Dutch labor market. As part of our recruitment services we can provide you with feedback on your CV & interview preparation sessions.
GUIDE FOR
Sweden has become a top destination for expats, professionals, families, and digital nomads seeking a high quality of life, beautiful nature, and a well-organised society. Known for its progressive values, excellent work-life balance, and striking Scandinavian landscapes, Sweden offers a calm yet vibrant environment for newcomers. Whether you're drawn to the cultural pulse of Stockholm, the coastal charm of Gothenburg, or the tranquil forests of the north, Sweden has a place for you.
This guide gives you an overview of Sweden—its geography, culture, work environment, language basics, and helpful tips to ensure a smooth start to your new life.
A Glimpse into Sweden
Geography and climate
Located in Northern Europe, Sweden is the largest country in Scandinavia. It shares borders with Norway and Finland and has long coastlines facing the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. The country is known for its forests, lakes, mountains, and clean, modern cities.
Sweden has a distinct four-season climate:
Spring – fresh and mild
Summer – warm, long days with sunlight lasting until late evening
Autumn – colourful, crisp, and cool
Winter – cold, with dark days and snow, especially in the north
While winters may be challenging for some, summer in Sweden is bright, vibrant, and widely celebrated.
A snapshot of history
Sweden’s history spans Viking tribes, medieval kingdoms, and the rise of a powerful empire in the 17th century. It later shifted to centuries of peace and neutrality, avoiding involvement in both World Wars. This stability helped shape Sweden into the modern, prosperous, and democratic nation it is today.
The country is known for innovation, social equality, and its unique “folkhemmet” model—a vision of society where everyone is taken care of. Sweden’s cities are filled with museums, historic districts, and modern architecture that reflect its blend of tradition and progress.
Diving into Swedish culture
Swedish culture combines simplicity, respect for nature, and a strong sense of community. People may seem reserved at first, but they are polite, friendly, and genuinely helpful once you connect.
Food and drink
Swedish cuisine celebrates both tradition and modern simplicity. Classic dishes include köttbullar (meatballs), gravad lax (cured salmon), smörgåsbord, and cinnamon buns. Coffee plays a central role in daily life, especially during fika—a cherished break spent enjoying coffee and pastries with colleagues or friends.
Festivals
Sweden is rich in seasonal traditions:
Midsummer – dancing around the maypole, flower crowns, and outdoor feasts
Walpurgis Night – bonfires welcoming spring
Lucia Day – celebrating light in the winter darkness
Lifestyle
Swedes value work-life balance, quiet time, personal space, and time in nature. Activities like hiking, swimming, cycling, and skiing are popular throughout the year. Even in cities, parks and green spaces are a big part of everyday life.
Working in Sweden
Sweden’s work culture is centred around collaboration, fairness, and balance. Hierarchies tend to be flat, and employees are encouraged to voice their ideas. Punctuality is important, and meetings are structured but relaxed.
Many international companies have hubs in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö, especially in tech, design, engineering, and sustainability sectors. For digital nomads, Sweden offers coworking spaces, reliable internet, and a calm work atmosphere, though the cost of living is higher than in many European countries.
Swedes take their leisure seriously: vacations are generous, and evenings and weekends are often reserved for family, friends, and nature.
Svenska made simple
Swedish is the official language, but many Swedes speak excellent English. Still, learning some Swedish will greatly enrich your experience and help with day-to-day life.
Here are some handy phrases:
English | Swedish |
|---|---|
Hello | Hej |
Goodbye | Hej då |
Thank you | Tack |
Please | Snälla / Var så god |
How are you? | Hur mår du? |
I don’t understand | Jag förstår inte |
Where is the nearest…? | Var finns närmaste…? |
Can you help me? | Kan du hjälpa mig? |
How much does this cost? | Hur mycket kostar det? |
Do you speak English? | Pratar du engelska? |
Even small efforts with Swedish show respect and make daily interactions smoother.
Tips for a smooth transition
Preparing well will help you settle into your new Swedish life effortlessly. Here are some practical tips:
Check residency requirements
EU/EEA citizens can move freely. Non-EU citizens may need a work permit, residence permit, or family-reunification visa. Start early—processing times can be long.
Plan your accommodation
Housing can be competitive, particularly in Stockholm. Websites like Blocket Bostad and Bostad Direkt are popular, but waiting lists for long-term rentals (first-hand contracts) can be lengthy.
Understand the healthcare system
Sweden’s public healthcare is high-quality and affordable once you are registered. Some expats also use private clinics for faster access.
Prepare for the seasons
Invest in good winter clothing. Embracing the cold months with outdoor activities can make a big difference in how you experience Swedish life.
Respect local etiquette
Swedes appreciate politeness, punctuality, and personal space. Removing your shoes inside homes is standard.
Get outdoors
Sweden’s allemansrätten (“right of public access”) allows everyone to enjoy nature freely—hike, camp, swim, and explore responsibly.
Final thoughts
Sweden offers a lifestyle defined by balance, beauty, and openness. Whether you’re relocating for work, studies, or adventure, you’ll find a place where modern innovation meets deep-rooted traditions. Enjoy the forests, lakes, seasonal celebrations, and friendly atmosphere that make Sweden such a special place to call home.
Välkommen till Sverige!
Sponsors
APRIL International is a global leader in international health insurance, providing coverage to over 150,000 policyholders worldwide in both their professional and personal lives. Our mission is to make healthcare easily accessible, no matter where you are.
Whether you're a student, an intern, on a working holiday, an employee, or a retiree traveling alone or with family APRIL International offers comprehensive and flexible insurance solutions designed to suit your unique needs and budget. With our expertise, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you have access to quality healthcare wherever your journey takes you.
Our service is specifically designed for anyone making overseas payments to buy, maintain, or sell an overseas property. We understand the importance of an efficient and transparent currency service and have an experienced team in place to help make your money go further and secure your very own “place in the sun”.
Buying and transferring currency across borders is a critical part of any overseas property transaction to get right, and our personal account-manager led service is here to help you understand and navigate the process safely and securely, without incurring any unnecessary costs. You can benefit from our knowledge about both the currency markets, and the logistics of international payments.
Abroad Experience specializes in connecting international professionals with exciting career opportunities in the Netherlands. With a focus on multilingual job seekers, we help candidates find roles that align with their skills, ambitions, and background.
From recent graduates to experienced professionals, we provide guidance throughout the recruitment process, offering job placements in fields such as customer service, finance, marketing, and more. Our goal is to make international job transitions seamless, ensuring candidates find the right opportunities while supporting them every step of the way.
It is of utmost importance to us that we offer a high level of service and build strong and trusting relationships with clients and candidates. As an international agency, we are devoted to international professionals in order to help them succeed on the Dutch labor market. As part of our recruitment services we can provide you with feedback on your CV & interview preparation sessions.
ActiveQuote is a leading comparison platform for health insurance, providing an easy way for individuals and businesses to compare health plans from a wide range of providers. With a focus on transparency, ActiveQuote helps customers find the best insurance coverage that suits their needs and budget, whether for personal or family health insurance, or for small businesses looking to provide benefits to employees.
By simplifying the process of comparing and purchasing health insurance, ActiveQuote offers a personalized experience, ensuring customers make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. With a commitment to excellent customer service and competitive pricing, ActiveQuote is dedicated to helping you secure the right health insurance coverage for your circumstances.
Aetna is a leading global health insurance company providing a wide range of health plans and services for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence in both the United States and internationally, Aetna focuses on improving health outcomes by offering affordable and accessible healthcare coverage.
Aetna provides a comprehensive range of products, including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as health management programs designed to support customers in leading healthier lives. With an emphasis on innovation and customer care, Aetna aims to deliver high-quality healthcare solutions that meet the needs of diverse populations worldwide.
Our life is full of metaphors; sometimes we don’t even notice them. However, if you look at today’s world through such a metaphorical lens, you understand why it can be compared to the river. It is dynamic, it is fast moving, every day it gets filled with new streams of ideas, tendencies, and innovations. Then, we can consider different organizations as banks of that river. They all have their traditions, cultural colors, and shades. That’s why there must be something to connect these banks, to make them united by common desires, ideas, business, strategies, language, etc. Therefore, our company come to serve as the bridge for that; we can build a connection between people, business organizations and various establishments. This singular belief makes ourselves and our clients’ products/services and international brand distinguishable amongst all of the rest.
Global Health Insurance, 100% Online – Anytime, Anywhere!
Whether you're an expatriate, student, frequent traveler, au pair, or business, we offer flexible insurance solutions for anyone traveling abroad. From registration to reimbursement, we make it easy to manage your health needs worldwide!
As a global leader in international health insurance, APRIL International provides comprehensive coverage for individuals, families, and businesses. Specializing in expatriate insurance, we offer tailored health plans that ensure access to quality healthcare—whether for short-term trips, long-term stays, or corporate needs.
With a strong focus on innovation, digital services, and customer support, APRIL International simplifies international health coverage, giving you peace of mind wherever you are. Our commitment to accessibility and personalized service makes us a trusted partner for those living, working, or traveling abroad.
Apt Wealth Partners is a trusted financial advisory firm based in Australia, providing expert wealth management, financial planning, and investment solutions. With a client-first approach, we help individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals through tailored strategies and long-term planning.
From retirement planning and superannuation to tax-effective investment solutions, Apt Wealth Partners offers comprehensive financial guidance designed to build and protect wealth. Our focus is on delivering financial advice that allows us to become your personal CFO. Your finances will be tailored to your needs, allowing you to concentrate on living the life you want. We're privately owned and focus on providing the most transparent advice possible.
As an independent family enterprise, we take pride in our unique identity. With operations in 19 countries, we are Germany’s largest family-owned company and the world’s leading legal insurer. Our commitment to legal protection has made us one of the top providers in the German insurance industry.
At ARAG, we empower individuals, families, and businesses with access to legal support. With decades of expertise, we offer comprehensive legal coverage, ensuring our clients can defend their rights without financial strain.
Whether it’s personal legal matters or business disputes, we provide tailored solutions, including legal consultations, court representation, and mediation services. Our dedication to justice and accessibility drives us to make legal support available to everyone, helping our clients navigate legal challenges with confidence.
At Arslan Lit Advocaten, we specialize in commercial and corporate law in the Netherlands, offering high-quality legal services tailored to your needs. Whether you're a business or an individual, we provide expert advice and representation on matters such as contract disputes, corporate governance, and business litigation.
We’re committed to working closely with you, crafting practical legal solutions to help navigate complex challenges. With a focus on protecting your rights and interests, we make sure you’re always supported. Our professional approach and deep legal knowledge make us a trusted partner for anyone seeking reliable counsel.
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